Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Option Description

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering provides opportunities for post-­baccalaureate study toward the Master of Science in Engineering. These opportunities serve the practicing engineer as well as the student who wants to pursue advanced graduate study and research. Thesis, non-thesis, and management options/plans are available. Areas of study include control systems, digital systems, computer engineering, RF communica­tions, computer-aided design, device and circuit modeling, solid-state devices, sensors, power systems and energy, power electronics, electromagnetic fields, electromechanical systems, and system analy­sis and design. The student is encouraged to interact with the faculty and explore these oppor­tunities.

The Master of Science in Engineering may be characterized as being both career-oriented and flexible. Program plans and options are available to accommodate the needs of nearly every engineering graduate student. Graduate students enrolled in any of the engineering graduate programs must complete:

30 semester hours for the thesis plan,

33 semester hours for the nonthesis plan, or

36 semester hours for the management plan.

The degree requirements consist of core courses, technical courses, and project courses. The management plan also requires a series of business courses. These degree programs are designed to provide graduate students with the knowledge and skills to excel in professional careers and/or pursue a PhD or doctorate degree in engineering. To obtain a list of core and technical course requirements for a particular engineering discipline, students should contact the option coordinator for the program of interest.

Program Plans

Thesis Plan

Graduate students choosing the thesis plan are required to complete 30 semester hours of gradu­ate coursework. This generally consists of:

six to nine semester hours of core courses,

15-18 semester hours of technical concentration courses, and

six semester hours of thesis.

This plan is strongly recom­mended for all candidates who wish to continue their graduate studies beyond the master’s degree. The thesis provides firsthand experience with experimental design, literature searches, research methodol­ogy, technical report writing, and oral presentation of results. Additionally, the thesis option can lead the graduate student to a higher level of expertise in the chosen area of specialization.

Non-thesis Plan

The non-thesis plan is designed for students who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills to succeed in careers as practicing engineers, but are unlikely to pursue a PhD or doctorate degree. A total of 33 semester hours of coursework is required for this plan. In addition to 6-9 semester hours of core courses, every student enrolled in this option is required to complete 21-24 semester hours of technical courses related to their discipline, and a 3-semester-hour graduate project course. A graduate student enrolled in a graduate project course will be required to defend the results of his or her project by giving a presentation to the engineering faculty and students.

Management Plan

Students who have been in the work arena and are moving into an engineering management role may wish to choose the management plan. A total of 36 semester hours of coursework is required for this plan. This consists of:

6-9 semester hours of core courses,

9-12 semester hours of business courses,

12-18 semester hours of technical courses, and

a 3-semester-hour graduate project.

A graduate student enrolled in a graduate project course will be required to defend the results of his or her project by giving a presentation to the engineering faculty and students.

Electrical Engineering Requirements

The basic degree requirements for each program plan are described under the general program description for the Master of Science in Engineering. Descriptions of course requirements and available electives for each program plan in the electrical engineering master’s program can be obtained from the graduate option coordinator.

Within the first semester of graduate study, every graduate student must complete an option plan form signed by the student, academic advisor, and the department graduate option coordinator. The student may seek another advisor in case of interest changes. Likewise, the student-advisor relationship may be terminated at the advisor’s recommendation. The graduate option coordinator is available to discuss these and other issues as appropriate.

Selected electrical engineering (ECEN) graduate courses are offered each semester based on the available teaching resources and student needs. Each graduate candidate is required to receive advising each semester from the department graduate option coordinator before registration. Based on the graduate student’s academic background, work experience, and academic goals, the department graduate option coordinator may approve a student’s request to substitute a graduate course not listed on the applicable program plan description.

Learning Outcomes: Electrical Engineering

The Department graduate program offers diverse educa­tional opportunities with its high-standard multi­disci­plinary curriculum and prepares its students to:Advance their mathematical knowledge and application of electrical engineering;

Chip circuitry for devices such as BJT, CMOS, and ECL-based digital logic chips. Switching devices such as SCRs, triacs, and timers. Switching power supplies. Power amplifiers. Applications and specifications of off-the-shelf IC devices. Computer-aided design and analysis.Prereq.:ECEN 3772.

ECEN 5808 Advanced Signals and Systems 3 s.h.

Communication and control system modeling and simulations; signal analysis in continuous-time, discrete-time and frequency domains. Advanced communication system applications.Prereq.:ECEN 3710 and MATH 3705.

Use of hardware description languages to design computer components and systems. Arithmetic and logic units, control units, VHDL models for memories and busses, interfacing, transfer design. Survey of modern computer systems.Prereq.:ECEN 3734.

ECEN 5840 Electric Power Systems 4 s.h.

Modeling of power system components. Power flow, faults, protection systems, and stability problems. Special projects and laboratory experiments including CAD applications for analysis, design, and simulation of power system networks. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.Prereq. or concurrent:ECEN 4844.

The design, analysis, and modeling of linear and nonlinear networks and systems using a simulation and modeling computer program. Development and use of library models of devices, subcircuits, and subsystems.Prereq.:ECEN 2611 and 21 s.h. of ECEN courses.

ECEN 5890 Power Electronics 4 s.h.

SCRs, rectifier circuits, commutation techniques, AC controllers, converters, and inverters. Special projects and laboratory experiments including computer applications for analysis, design, and simulation of power electronics network. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory per week.Prereq.:ECEN 3771 and 21 s.h. of ECEN courses.

The formulation of equations to study electric power network problems, including feeders, power flow, short circuits, protection systems, and stability. The study of power system over voltages and transients caused by short circuits, switching, and lightning. The application of numerical techniques to study and design special projects using digital computations.

ECEN 6983 Modern Power Sources 3 s.h.

Analytical and descriptive study of modern power plants. Combustion and environmental problems with fossil-fueled power plants. Electromagnetic circuits and devices with emphasis on the principles of electromechanical energy conversions.Cross-listed: CHEN 6983 and MECH 6983.

ECEN 6985 Electromechanical Motion Devices 3 s.h.

Thermodynamics of batteries, and of electric and fuel cells. Power from nuclear isotopes. Features common to rotating electromagnetic fields. Analysis and design of electromechanical power components. Logic circuit design with I/O structure and interface.Cross-listed: CHEN 6985 and MECH 6985.

ECEN 6986 Power Electronics Circuits and Devices 3 s.h.

The design and analysis of power electronic circuits using solid-state switching devices. Topics include power semiconductor diodes and transistors, diode circuits and controlled rectifiers, thyristors, communication techniques, AC voltage controllers, and switching regulators, with applications.

ECEN 6987 Power Electronics and Industrial Drives 3 s.h.

The design and analysis of power electronic circuits and systems, static switches, power supplies, AC and DC drives, and protection of power electronic devices and circuits.